Again, the holiday season approaches and it's time to reflect upon the past year and changes for the next. You will notice that ARMATI articles are beginning to make an appearance, starting with this issue. It's interesting to have another rules set available, one which is seemingly gaining acceptance with gamers both old and new.
I actually enjoy playing Armati--though it does not have the mental intrigue that is so enjoyable with 7th. It still allows for a large degree of tactical planning and it's quick. Lose a game (eh, Dave?), play another. Three games in an evening (four hours) is not unusual. What with Arty's new and improved "pick your troops" army lists, you are no longer saddled with a rigid, unchanging army. Now you get to choose your army, half or more, from an available number of "bonus units." The lists are not bad. In fact, many are currently being written by the likes of Paul Georgian, Dave Ottney, and your editor. The pre-feudal Scots rear their unforgiving heads in yet another setting!
Neglected Heroes is available as of November 30, 1995 from Greenwood Publishing Group. Once I have the actual book in my hands, I'll be able to realize the fact that it is finally completed! For any of you who might be interested, it can be obtained from GPG, 88 Post Road West, PO Box 50007, Westport, CT 06881-5007, or call 1-800-225-5800, for 24-hours-per-day toll-free credit card orders. The catalog number is ISBN 0-275-95269-X and the price is $55.
Not much time for gaming this time of year. The store does roughly 1/4 of its yearly business in late November and December. The hours are a bit long, but the paychecks are a mite healthier as well. I just keep thinking that retirement is only 11 and a half years away.
Bruce Taylor and I try to get together once a month for a game of 7th. Currently, his Burgundians are 0-1 versus my Teutonics. We'll see what the next game is like. I should write up one of these games. Invariably, they are enjoyable and exciting. It's always much better to pit contemporaries against each other. Historically, the game has a much better feel to it than unusual pairing which occur in non-theme tournaments.
I am afraid that the SIMCON tournament might be a dead issue. Just three years ago we had 22 gamers show up to play. Last year, we could not even manage to induce six to play. This year, I just don't know what is going to happen. I'll talk to Greg Hauser and perhaps we can get a feel for if there is enough interest enough to bother with putting it on. If not, the MIGS group will be the closest available group putting on a convention tournament.
Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!